Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Castle Morpeth Community Partnership meeting. The meeting was scheduled to include a response to a petition regarding pedestrian safety in Longhirst, and a discussion on car parking issues in Ponteland. There was also an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

Petition Response: Longhirst Village Pedestrian Safety

The meeting was scheduled to include a response to a petition requesting measures to improve pedestrian safety in Longhirst, following a survey in March 2025 where residents reported feeling unsafe due to traffic speed and footpath conditions. The petition requested:

• A reduction of speed limits on roads leading into the village from 60mph to 40mph.
• A reduction of the speed limit in the village from 30mph to 20mph.
• Installation of traffic calming measures.
• A safe crossing point at the church.
• Improved footpath maintenance to Pegswood, Longhirst Colliery and Micklewood/Longhirst Hall.

According to the report pack, road safety concerns in Longhirst had been raised previously, and a feasibility study was carried out in 2018 to identify potential solutions. A scheme was included in the 2019/20 Local Transport Plan (LTP) to implement some of the measures, including reducing the length of the 30mph speed limit, introducing a 40mph buffer zone, new gateway signage, and general signage and road marking improvements.

Speed surveys conducted in May 2025 indicated that the 85th percentiles¹ were below the level required for road safety intervention or enforcement within a 30mph speed limit. Accident data from Northumbria Police showed two personal injury collisions in the last five years, both attributed to driver error.

The report pack stated that a reduction of the speed limit is not necessary on any of the three approaches currently governed by a derestricted speed limit, and that there were no plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit through Longhirst, as the council follows national guidance and does not permit such limits on through routes. It was also stated that there was no justification for the introduction of traffic calming measures, and that any physical measures could be unpopular and lead to complaints about noise and vibration.

The report pack stated that a safe crossing point at the church would be difficult to introduce given site constraints, but that the potential for dropped kerbs to improve the current situation would be investigated. It was also stated that the footpaths to Pegswood, Longhirst Colliery, and Micklewood/Longhirst Hall would be considered for inclusion in the annual Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Maintenance Programme, though inclusion could not be guaranteed due to competing priorities.

The report pack stated that the council has no plans to fund any further improvements to address speeding concerns through the Local Transport Plan programme, but that they would liaise with the area office and street lighting team to ensure that the existing chicane² at the north of the village is repaired as soon as possible. It was also stated that should additional funding be available from other sources, the council would be happy to support any additional community safety improvements.

The report pack referenced a feasibility report from 2018, which evaluated concerns raised about vehicle speeds and road safety in the vicinity of Longhirst Village. The report evaluated several options, including:

• Gateways
• Removal of carriageway centre lines and road studs
• Rumble strips
• Amendments to existing speed limits
• General signing and road marking improvements
• Speed Indicator (SID) LED Signs

The report pack included several appendices, including the B1337 Longhirst Village Speed Reducing Measures Feasibility and Options Report, and a summary of speed survey results.

Car Parking in Ponteland

The meeting was also scheduled to include a discussion on car parking in Ponteland, specifically:

• Steps being taken to address indiscriminate parking related to Newcastle Airport.
• Weekend parking at Ponteland Leisure Centre.

Public Question Time

The agenda included an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions, with questions needing to be submitted in writing in advance of the meeting, or asked at the meeting. Questions could be asked about issues for which the council has a responsibility.